Fence



(No Model.)

J. NEWTON.

. FENCE.

No. 285,427. Patented Sept. 25, 1883..

WITNESSES 4. 4;

- flltorneys,

. UNITED STATES PATnNT OFFICE.

JOHN NEWTON, on CLIFFORD, INDIANA.

' FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,427, dated September 25, 188 3. Application filed May 4,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may oonaernu' Be it known that I, JOHN NEWTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clifford,

in the county of Bartholomew and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Fence, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to fences; and it consists in the peculiar construction of the same, whereby an improved fence is obtained possessing superior points in simplicity, durability, inexpensiveness, and general eiiiciency. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an ordinary panel fence embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 represents a detail view of the post shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 represents a detail view of the upper part of the post shown in Fig. 1, and illustrating the manner in which the fence is retained in the posts. Fig. 4 represents another form of fastening for thefence. Like letters refer to corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the rails or boards of my fence, connected by upright battens B, leaving a sufficient distance at each end for the rails to project, the bottom I rail being made shorter, for the purpose hereinafter stated. p

O designates the fence-posts, consisting of the triangular pieces D, secured at the bottom between two strips, E, placed transverse to the fence. Stakes F or equivalent means are secured to the strips, and are adapted to hold the postsfirmly to the ground. Between the triangular pieces D a space, I), is left for the ends of the rails to pass through, and this space varies with the size of the fence-rails.

At the ends of each fence-rail, except the bottom rail, pieces 0 c are secured, leavinga space, a", for the post to pass through. As

. stated, each of the projecting fence-rails except the bottom rail is provided with these strips, so that the fence is securely held in position by the triangular pieces D fitting in the space a between the saidstrips 0 c.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a method of fastening which, inpractice, may be found preferable to that last described. One or more clev ises, D are passed over the top of the fencepost 0 and pressed down on the triangular Any othermethod of fastening may be substituted for the above, as found desirable.

I prepare my portable board fence as follows: I place the posts directly upon the ground,

or upon blocks or stones to raise them somewhat above the ground. The stakes are then driven into the ground to secure the posts from displacement. One section of the fence comprising the rails and battens secured together is then raised and the projecting ends of the fence-rails inserted in the space b between the triangular pieces. The other sections of the fence are then placed in position, the projecting ends of the fence-rails being placed side by side with the ends of the adjacent section. The fastening means are then applied to the fence-posts to hold the sections from displace ment. The shortening of the bottom rail is to allow said rail to abut against the side of the strips E of the post, and thereby hold the fence in proper position. a

In portable fences the pieces 0 0 will be founda sufficient fastening for the sections of the fence; but the clevises and pins shown in Fig. 4c are more secure, and in some instances may be preferred.

The principal advantages of my fence'are its cheapness and durability, while its simplicity will be apparent at first sight.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a fence, the combination of the slotted posts. secured at the bottonrbetween strips E, and having stakes F, with the fence-rails suitably connected together, the bottom rails being made shorter than the others and abutting against said strips E, while the other rails pass through the slot of said posts and have their adjacent ends fitting together, all substantially as shown and described.

2. In a fence, the combination of the slotted posts with the fence-rails suitably connected together, the bottom rail being made shorter ion to abut against the base-piece of said posts, my own I have hereto affixed my signature in and the other rails projecting through the slot presence of two witnesses. of the posts, and provided with the pieces 0 o, secured together so as to leave a space, a", the 5 edges of the post fitting in this space, as set \Vitnesses:

forth. J AMES R. FrsHER,

In testimony that I claim. the foregoing as JOHN NEWTON.

E. B. NORTON. 

